Magic Gardens and Flower Shows: Traveling in my own City (Philadelphia)
Mar 15th, 2011, 07:29 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Magic Gardens and Flower Shows: Traveling in my own City (Philadelphia)
On Friday, March 4th, I finished up doing my small (tiny!) part in helping to bring the Philadelphia Flower Show to life. This year's theme was Springtime in Paris, and as always it's magical to see the show emerge from a bare cement floor to the wealth of flowers, plants, trees, water, and wonder that it becomes. It has its own special smell and feel (green smell; damp and clammy feel, actually) on the night before opening: I love to do a bit of a wander and, as it happens, that was the only time I got to the show. (But that's a story for a different thread.)
As it happened, I had a certificate for a stay at a Hyatt property; I had intended to use it in Santiago this past summer, but my flight from Easter Island was five hours late, so I'd just about get to the hotel in time to turn around and leave. Although I could have been home from the Convention Center in 20 minutes or so, I decided to use the about-to-expire certificate at the Hyatt Regency at Penn's Landing, as the one at the Bellevue didn't take the certificate in the reservations.
It's a bit of a trek by public transportation and walking in the cold spring evening to the Hyatt at Penn's Landing; it's near the Independence Seaport Museum, rather cut off from the city center. I was exhausted after the set-up, and was really looking forward to a nice soaky bath and soft bed. Lo and behold, when I checked in at 9:30PM, I was told that there would be an hour's wait for my room! (I could have been home twice.) Fortunately, I had papers with me and waited--it ended up being 40 minutes, yay--in the lobby; that's the first time that's ever happened to me, I have to say. The night staff wasn't terribly helpful, but in the morning when I mentioned about it the people at the desk were very apologetic. Just seemed a bit bizarre at that time of night, but they said that they had a lot of conference people who kept switching rooms so that may have been why housekeeping was tied up. (My room was, um, adequate, but the housekeeping was not exactly of the pristine variety.) Nice views of the river, though.
The next morning I made my way across to Second Street and on down to South. Breakfast was at the South Street Diner, right past the Head House Square. Perhaps it was the cool morning and brisk walk, but I loved my breakfast: a (heretically) toasted huge bagel with cream cheese and piles of Nova Scotia lox, served on a platter with tomatoes and olives and capers and lettuce and so forth. It was gnosh-worthy, really, and the atmosphere is a fun diner-y 24 hour place with booths; the real type.
South Street itself is all of those slightly hip urban words: funky, chic, artsy...Definitely worth a stroll on a beautiful sunny Saturday, even without the destination I had in mind: the Magic Gardens, on South Street just past 10th.
It's hard to describe the Magic Gardens, exactly; they have to be experienced (although I'll have a picture link at the end here.) The work of Isaiah Zagar, they're a mosaic/stucco/folk art explosion of color and joy, with fantastical forms and mesmerizing mazes. The house/studio itself is truly amazing (you have to use the bathroom--I WANT that linen closet) and the "Garden" itself, on the adjoining lot, is like nothing else I've ever seen. Zagar works with colored stucco and uses another color when that runs out; he works extremely quickly, even though he's in his 70's, and has a wonderful and earthy sensibility. The text incorporated is just one manifestation of a unique mind (and dyslexic viewpoint--sometimes, according to the very good guide, the misspellings are for real, sometimes on purpose--and the words can just as easily be upside down as right-side-up.) I was glad I'd joined the informative tour, as that also gets you into a rental property owned by Zagar where he's worked his magic on the basement of the house.
A bit visually overwhelmed, I continued on down Ninth Street to the Italian Market, an open-air market where every day you'll find vegetable and fruit vendors, amazing specialty (as in specializing in Pork, or Cheese, or such) food stores, and some great food: Sarcone's for hoagies, for instance, but I was too full this time from my bagel and lox. There are some flea market/dollar store type stores interspersed, but it still is very much like a European market. I didn't walk the whole way, but I got more than my fill of produce (I had, after all, to carry it home) and finally wended my way through the South Philly row homes to the bus. I love taking time to explore my city, and it had been a long time since I'd been to the Market; it shouldn't be so long again...
Here are the pictures of my day: http://travel.webshots.com/album/579910799pMOZEX
As it happened, I had a certificate for a stay at a Hyatt property; I had intended to use it in Santiago this past summer, but my flight from Easter Island was five hours late, so I'd just about get to the hotel in time to turn around and leave. Although I could have been home from the Convention Center in 20 minutes or so, I decided to use the about-to-expire certificate at the Hyatt Regency at Penn's Landing, as the one at the Bellevue didn't take the certificate in the reservations.
It's a bit of a trek by public transportation and walking in the cold spring evening to the Hyatt at Penn's Landing; it's near the Independence Seaport Museum, rather cut off from the city center. I was exhausted after the set-up, and was really looking forward to a nice soaky bath and soft bed. Lo and behold, when I checked in at 9:30PM, I was told that there would be an hour's wait for my room! (I could have been home twice.) Fortunately, I had papers with me and waited--it ended up being 40 minutes, yay--in the lobby; that's the first time that's ever happened to me, I have to say. The night staff wasn't terribly helpful, but in the morning when I mentioned about it the people at the desk were very apologetic. Just seemed a bit bizarre at that time of night, but they said that they had a lot of conference people who kept switching rooms so that may have been why housekeeping was tied up. (My room was, um, adequate, but the housekeeping was not exactly of the pristine variety.) Nice views of the river, though.
The next morning I made my way across to Second Street and on down to South. Breakfast was at the South Street Diner, right past the Head House Square. Perhaps it was the cool morning and brisk walk, but I loved my breakfast: a (heretically) toasted huge bagel with cream cheese and piles of Nova Scotia lox, served on a platter with tomatoes and olives and capers and lettuce and so forth. It was gnosh-worthy, really, and the atmosphere is a fun diner-y 24 hour place with booths; the real type.
South Street itself is all of those slightly hip urban words: funky, chic, artsy...Definitely worth a stroll on a beautiful sunny Saturday, even without the destination I had in mind: the Magic Gardens, on South Street just past 10th.
It's hard to describe the Magic Gardens, exactly; they have to be experienced (although I'll have a picture link at the end here.) The work of Isaiah Zagar, they're a mosaic/stucco/folk art explosion of color and joy, with fantastical forms and mesmerizing mazes. The house/studio itself is truly amazing (you have to use the bathroom--I WANT that linen closet) and the "Garden" itself, on the adjoining lot, is like nothing else I've ever seen. Zagar works with colored stucco and uses another color when that runs out; he works extremely quickly, even though he's in his 70's, and has a wonderful and earthy sensibility. The text incorporated is just one manifestation of a unique mind (and dyslexic viewpoint--sometimes, according to the very good guide, the misspellings are for real, sometimes on purpose--and the words can just as easily be upside down as right-side-up.) I was glad I'd joined the informative tour, as that also gets you into a rental property owned by Zagar where he's worked his magic on the basement of the house.
A bit visually overwhelmed, I continued on down Ninth Street to the Italian Market, an open-air market where every day you'll find vegetable and fruit vendors, amazing specialty (as in specializing in Pork, or Cheese, or such) food stores, and some great food: Sarcone's for hoagies, for instance, but I was too full this time from my bagel and lox. There are some flea market/dollar store type stores interspersed, but it still is very much like a European market. I didn't walk the whole way, but I got more than my fill of produce (I had, after all, to carry it home) and finally wended my way through the South Philly row homes to the bus. I love taking time to explore my city, and it had been a long time since I'd been to the Market; it shouldn't be so long again...
Here are the pictures of my day: http://travel.webshots.com/album/579910799pMOZEX
Mar 16th, 2011, 03:10 AM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Amy,
Great pictures, thanks for sharing them!
I wish the flower show was a little less expensive.
When I once took my friends to the Magic Garden, which I greatly enjoy, they took it as proof that I'm nostalgic for my hippie years (knowing I actually came along 10 yrs. too late to be a hippie)
I love the Italian Market, and you've whetted my appetite for later in spring when I can enjoy one of my favorite things to do in all of Philadephia: get bread from Sarcone's, fresh mozzarella from Claudio's, ripe tomato from one of the vendors, find a spot to sit, and enjoy! (byok helps - bring your own knife)
Laura
Great pictures, thanks for sharing them!
I wish the flower show was a little less expensive.
When I once took my friends to the Magic Garden, which I greatly enjoy, they took it as proof that I'm nostalgic for my hippie years (knowing I actually came along 10 yrs. too late to be a hippie)
I love the Italian Market, and you've whetted my appetite for later in spring when I can enjoy one of my favorite things to do in all of Philadephia: get bread from Sarcone's, fresh mozzarella from Claudio's, ripe tomato from one of the vendors, find a spot to sit, and enjoy! (byok helps - bring your own knife)
Laura
Mar 16th, 2011, 03:22 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, everyone!
Go-Laura, that sounds like a wonderful plan. Mmmm, fresh mozz and tomatoes and Sarcone's: I could deal with some of that right now! (Although it's still just a bit chilly for al fresco dining...)
I think the Magic Gardens are pretty hippie-ish, which I love; I was born in '65 and seem to have absorbed a lot of the Flower Child vibes. It's a great mellow place; I can't believe that I hadn't actually visited there before, although I've always loved the various mosaics along South Street.
Go-Laura, that sounds like a wonderful plan. Mmmm, fresh mozz and tomatoes and Sarcone's: I could deal with some of that right now! (Although it's still just a bit chilly for al fresco dining...)
I think the Magic Gardens are pretty hippie-ish, which I love; I was born in '65 and seem to have absorbed a lot of the Flower Child vibes. It's a great mellow place; I can't believe that I hadn't actually visited there before, although I've always loved the various mosaics along South Street.
Apr 5th, 2011, 02:52 AM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A friend who lives in South Philly took us to the Magic Gardens and Italian Market last fall so your report/pictures brought back memories of a great day. Our friend was excited to share these places with us as her husband is not a fan of either and she loves an excuse to go.
Our son is a student at Penn and I have tried to get him interested in the Magic Gardens, but so far no luck. Maybe you are right--it is a Flower Child thing
Our son is a student at Penn and I have tried to get him interested in the Magic Gardens, but so far no luck. Maybe you are right--it is a Flower Child thing
May 2nd, 2012, 04:13 AM
#7
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Amy - just watched your Philly flower show. Living in SD - we don't get heavy winter weather - so can appreciate how such a flower show would be greatly received in the spring.
BTW - I just won in the Most Fragrant category - in my FIRST Rose show/contest. Fortunately for me (my wife really has the green thumb but she was in Auburn, Alabama - helping a friend who had injured her shoulder). And our Mr. Lincoln won most fragrant, even though I had not made the best cutting of it, and actually trimmed the thorns (A no-no I learned after walking in - as rank Rookie - but a couple nice angels/fellow competitors took me under their wings and helped me prep. Did you know you can use Q tips to open the buds, a scalpel to cut away a errand petal if you need to, bubble wrap to help keep the rose displayed as high as possible in the vase, you should wash the leaves but don't cheat by applying oil, and on and on. Just the Rose prep alone is an art).
Anyhow - ole Mr. Lincoln still stood proud - and was even in the running for Grand Champion/Queen of the show (the whole judging thing is "dramatic" - just like the Westminster Dog Show) - but lost out to a floozy named Marilyn Monroe.
Actually - Marilyn was a perfectly cut/formed/presented Rose - by a long time expert - but that hussy doesn't have any fragrance. Double And NO - she did not sing "Happy Birthday to you Mr. President". Triple (Old joke from when Marilyn rubbed noses with one of our Presidents back in the 60's).
BTW - I just won in the Most Fragrant category - in my FIRST Rose show/contest. Fortunately for me (my wife really has the green thumb but she was in Auburn, Alabama - helping a friend who had injured her shoulder). And our Mr. Lincoln won most fragrant, even though I had not made the best cutting of it, and actually trimmed the thorns (A no-no I learned after walking in - as rank Rookie - but a couple nice angels/fellow competitors took me under their wings and helped me prep. Did you know you can use Q tips to open the buds, a scalpel to cut away a errand petal if you need to, bubble wrap to help keep the rose displayed as high as possible in the vase, you should wash the leaves but don't cheat by applying oil, and on and on. Just the Rose prep alone is an art).
Anyhow - ole Mr. Lincoln still stood proud - and was even in the running for Grand Champion/Queen of the show (the whole judging thing is "dramatic" - just like the Westminster Dog Show) - but lost out to a floozy named Marilyn Monroe.
Actually - Marilyn was a perfectly cut/formed/presented Rose - by a long time expert - but that hussy doesn't have any fragrance. Double
And NO - she did not sing "Happy Birthday to you Mr. President". Triple (Old joke from when Marilyn rubbed noses with one of our Presidents back in the 60's).
May 5th, 2012, 06:57 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tomsd, congrats on your Rose Show win! I think fragrance is the single most important attribute of flowers, from the distinctive smells of individual types to the green smell of fresh cut stems to the collective smell of flower shops (and shows.) Mmmmmmmmmm.
I work more with the arrangement/design part, rather than as a grower, but I have lots of respect for the growing aspect; it's amazing the amount of time and work that goes into plant competition.
I work more with the arrangement/design part, rather than as a grower, but I have lots of respect for the growing aspect; it's amazing the amount of time and work that goes into plant competition.
May 9th, 2012, 04:45 AM
#9
I have to stop and smell any rose I pass. Your rose competition description was a fun read, Tomsd.
I'm returning to Philly next week for a visit and I'm giddy with excitement. Vttravler, you must be nearing Philly expert status by now. He's been there at least a couple of years, correct? Is he enjoying the city?
I'm returning to Philly next week for a visit and I'm giddy with excitement. Vttravler, you must be nearing Philly expert status by now. He's been there at least a couple of years, correct? Is he enjoying the city?
May 9th, 2012, 01:32 PM
#10
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,441
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Birdie--our son is finishing his junior year (already!) We have enjoyed visiting him and spending some time in Philadelphia although I am far from an expert. I think we should spend a more concentrated block of time there at some point in the next year.
Our son has been happy at Penn and in Philly. Quite a few of his friends are from the city so he has had the benefit of their knowing their way around.
Our son has been happy at Penn and in Philly. Quite a few of his friends are from the city so he has had the benefit of their knowing their way around.
May 11th, 2012, 04:59 AM
#12
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,375
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On a roll and going to enter a 3rd Rose Contest this Saturday here in SD at the Scottish Rites Temple. They seem to have regional gropings and we're up. Now that my wife isn't traveling - the real green thumb will get a chance to show her roses.
Sent this to one of the UC Hastings (law school) Rugby guys - (we used to knock heads on the Rugby Field - before singing songs afterwards with the other side - and the group is now called the HOBS - Hastings Old Boys) - and I think "Ubo" played OT at UC Davis. He is a healthy 300 pounder, yet quite proud of raising some roses with his wife - in Sacramento.
After entering the Roses in the contest in Carlsbad -- I was able to zip over to Vista for the remote Let's Talk Hookup (AM 1090) http://www.hookup1090.com/ remote show from Vista - @ North County Ford - with Pete Gray and Rock Cod Rick Maxa - and then zipped back to Carlsbad for the Rose judging results.
Fortunately I won something at the Rose show (Novice Division) - as I got shut out in the Casting Contest.
*******Yo Ubo: Check out a Rose Show schedule for Northern Cal (think this might have a show calendar - http://sfrosesociety.com/bestroses.html or at least last year's results - http://ncnhdistrict.org/shows/2011sh...pring2011.html )
- and take some of those lovely roses from your Sacto garden and win a few prizes!!
You might even win a couple Crystal vases as I did yesterday in the Novice division in Carlsbad, Coastal Rose Society show. (The prize Vases pic attached along with pic of Pope John Paul II - a very fragrant white rose, which is shown outside the breakfask nook, along with an Heirloom).
FYI - http://www.californiacoastalrose.com/CCRSRoseShow.html, and for this week's San Diego show:
http://www.sdrosesociety.org/sdrs_ro...w.htm#RoseShow
And Tom Cairns: Met a tax lawyer at the Carlsbad show - Bob Martin - who is the President of the SD Rose society, which again, has their show this coming Sat. Bob also wrote this book (the definitive treatise?) - about Showing/Judging Roses - whic I think your namesake applauded. It's out of print so I have to dig a copy up on Ebay, wherever.
Unfortunately - I can't get lucky again in the Novice division (what - you mean if you have the only rose entered in two Novice divisions you win two vases? OK!!!! ) - but might be able to get the real green thumb - Libby (moi being the chief digger) - to temporarily stop attending to other social endeavors and maybe she can get lucky this weekend.
Really - it's great getting in touch with your "feminine" side. Since I stopped participating in Martial Arts - it has filled the void.
I could still show those young whippersnappers a trick or two in Karate sparring, (still had the hand speed and decent kicks - waist high anyway) - but dang - when grappling with those younger dudes (Judo and Jujitsu) - it really gives you sore muscles well into the week , probably much like many of you HOBS when ye play a younger Rugby side.
Roses UP!!!!!!!
Now that my wife isn't traveling - the real green thumb will get a chance to show her roses. Sent this to one of the UC Hastings (law school) Rugby guys - (we used to knock heads on the Rugby Field - before singing songs afterwards with the other side - and the group is now called the HOBS - Hastings Old Boys) - and I think "Ubo" played OT at UC Davis. He is a healthy 300 pounder, yet quite proud of raising some roses with his wife - in Sacramento.
After entering the Roses in the contest in Carlsbad -- I was able to zip over to Vista for the remote Let's Talk Hookup (AM 1090) http://www.hookup1090.com/ remote show from Vista - @ North County Ford - with Pete Gray and Rock Cod Rick Maxa - and then zipped back to Carlsbad for the Rose judging results.
Fortunately I won something at the Rose show (Novice Division) - as I got shut out in the Casting Contest.
*******Yo Ubo: Check out a Rose Show schedule for Northern Cal (think this might have a show calendar - http://sfrosesociety.com/bestroses.html or at least last year's results - http://ncnhdistrict.org/shows/2011sh...pring2011.html )
- and take some of those lovely roses from your Sacto garden and win a few prizes!!
You might even win a couple Crystal vases as I did yesterday in the Novice division in Carlsbad, Coastal Rose Society show. (The prize Vases pic attached along with pic of Pope John Paul II - a very fragrant white rose, which is shown outside the breakfask nook, along with an Heirloom).
FYI - http://www.californiacoastalrose.com/CCRSRoseShow.html, and for this week's San Diego show:
http://www.sdrosesociety.org/sdrs_ro...w.htm#RoseShow
And Tom Cairns: Met a tax lawyer at the Carlsbad show - Bob Martin - who is the President of the SD Rose society, which again, has their show this coming Sat. Bob also wrote this book (the definitive treatise?) - about Showing/Judging Roses - whic I think your namesake applauded. It's out of print so I have to dig a copy up on Ebay, wherever.
Unfortunately - I can't get lucky again in the Novice division (what - you mean if you have the only rose entered in two Novice divisions you win two vases? OK!!!! ) - but might be able to get the real green thumb - Libby (moi being the chief digger) - to temporarily stop attending to other social endeavors and maybe she can get lucky this weekend.
Really - it's great getting in touch with your "feminine" side. Since I stopped participating in Martial Arts - it has filled the void.
I could still show those young whippersnappers a trick or two in Karate sparring, (still had the hand speed and decent kicks - waist high anyway) - but dang - when grappling with those younger dudes (Judo and Jujitsu) - it really gives you sore muscles well into the week , probably much like many of you HOBS when ye play a younger Rugby side.
Roses UP!!!!!!!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
thit_cho
Africa & the Middle East
4
Sep 12th, 2009 10:46 AM
jsmith
Europe
7
Aug 9th, 2009 01:52 AM
